Full Statute Name:  West's Annotated Code of Virginia. Title 3.2. Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food. Subtitle V. Domestic Animals. Chapter 65. Comprehensive Animal Care. Article 14. Dangerous Captive Animal Exhibits

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Primary Citation:  VA Code Ann. § 3.2-6594 - 6596 Country of Origin:  United States Last Checked:  February, 2024 Alternate Citation:  VA ST § 3.2-6594 Date Adopted:  2021 Historical: 
Summary: This section of Virginia laws, enacted in 2021, makes it unlawful for any keeper to provide or offer to provide to any member of the public, for free or for a cost, direct contact with a dangerous captive animal. A “dangerous captive animal” means any bear, cougar, jaguar, leopard, lion, nonhuman primate, or tiger, or any hybrid of any such animal. “Dangerous captive animal” does not include a clouded leopard. Violation incurs a Class 3 misdemeanor and is subject to a fine of not more than $500.

§ 3.2-6594. Definitions

As used in this article:

“Dangerous captive animal” means any bear, cougar, jaguar, leopard, lion, nonhuman primate, or tiger, or any hybrid of any such animal. “Dangerous captive animal” does not include a clouded leopard.

“Direct contact” means physical contact or proximity where physical contact is possible, including an opportunity for photography without a permanent physical barrier designed to prevent physical contact between the public and a dangerous captive animal.

“Keeper” means any person, as defined in § 1-230, who owns, has custody of, or is in control of a dangerous captive animal.

Credits
Added by Acts 2020, c. 632, eff. July 1, 2021.

 

§ 3.2-6595. Direct contact with dangerous captive animals prohibited

It is unlawful for any keeper to provide or offer to provide to any member of the public, for free or for a cost, direct contact with a dangerous captive animal.

Credits
Added by Acts 2020, c. 632, eff. July 1, 2021.

 

§ 3.2-6596. Violation; penalty

Any person who violates any provision of this article is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor and is subject to a fine of not more than $500.

Credits
Added by Acts 2020, c. 632, eff. July 1, 2021.

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